Board of Directors

Coalition for Deep Space Exploration

Andrew Allen

Vice President and General Manager, Jacobs Space Operations Group (JSOG)

Andrew Allen is Vice President and General Manager of Jacobs Space Operations Group at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Cape Canaveral, FL. JSOG provides overall management and implementation of ground systems capabilities, flight hardware processing and launch operations at KSC as part of the Test Operations Support Contract (TOSC). Program support includes the International Space Station, Ground Systems Development and Operations, the Space Launch System, Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle and the Launch Services Program. TOSC also supports NASA requirements, including agency programs, commercial entities and other government agencies in services for launch vehicles, spacecraft and payload integration and processing; operations and development of associated processes and ground systems to support integration, processing and launch; servicing and testing of flight hardware; and launch of development and operational flights at KSC.

Andrew’s entire career has been dedicated to aerospace. Prior to joining Jacobs, he served in various space industry leadership positions including Vice President of Space Programs and Requirements for Honeywell, Vice President of International Military Aircraft for Honeywell and Associate Program Manager for Ground Operations with United Space Alliance. Selected by NASA in 1987, Andrew became an astronaut in 1988 and is a veteran of three space flights – logging more than 900 hours in space as the pilot on STS-46 in 1992, STS-62 in 1994, and mission commander on STS-75 in 1996. He was the Director of Space Station Requirements at NASA Headquarters until 1997. A retired Lt. Colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps, he graduated from the Marine Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course, Naval Fighter Weapons School (Top Gun), and U.S. Navy Test Pilot School prior to his selection to the astronaut program. He has flown over 6,000 hours in over 30 different aircraft.

Andrew earned his MBA fromthe University of Florida (2004) and BS in Mechanical Engineering from Villanova University (1977). He has received numerous awards and honors during his career including an Honorary Doctorate of Science from Daniel Webster College; Honorary Doctorate of Engineering Science from Villanova University; Honorary Doctorate of Public Service from Bucks County Community College; as well as numerous medals and accolades in recognition of exemplary military and NASA service, such as the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Single Mission Air Medal, NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal, NASA Exceptional Service Medal, and NASA Space Flight Medal.

The clouds have cleared from another RS-25 engine test! Learn more about these powerful engines that will thrust our @NASA_SLS rocket to destinations like the Moon and Mars at a speed of 17,500 mph -- 73 times faster than an Indy 500 race car! https://t.co/oDbA2WupD1

A team of 4 began an 8 month #Mars surface mission simulation at test facilities on Mauna Loa in Hawaii. The HI-SEAS deep space simulation includes a 20 minute comms delay as though the participants were on Mars and their control team on Earth. https://t.co/EAuFSSG7Qf

San Diego Composites, a composite supplier that provides critical components for @NASA_Orion's Launch Abort System was selected as 2017 Small Business Subcontractor of the Year by @NASA_Johnson. #SpaceUSA Read more about them: https://t.co/nHCF35UWHE